Feed water heater and scrubber



E. c. R. WEISGERBER FEED WATER HEATER AND SCRUBB ER Jul 4, 1939.

Filed Sept. 50, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 4, 1939. E. c. R. WEISGERBER FE-ED WATER HEATER AND SICRUBBER Filed Sept. 30, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [620mm wf/jafwm Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,164,974 I FEED WATER. HEATER AND SCRUBBER.

fornia Application September 30, 1935, Serial No. 42,877

7 Claims.

This invention relates to heat exchange apparatus, and particularly pertains to a hot water heater and oil scrubber.

In the operation of various types of apparatus used in connection with oil refining practice it is desirable to utilize exhaust steam from various parts of the plant as a heating medium to heat feed water used for different operations, and since this water is usually commingled with oil it is necessary to effectively separate the oil from the water. Heretofore various pieces of apparatus have been designed to produce this dual purpose. They have, however, in most instances been easily clogged and in some cases have utilized parts and materials which require renewal, cleaning, and replacement. It has also been a defect in many of these devices that they have not heated the feed water to a desired high temperature. It is the principal object of the present invention therefore to provide a. feed water heater and scrubber which will operate to readily separate the oils and other foreign matter associated with steam introduced into the heater and which will insure that the feed Water fed to the device will be placed in heat exchange relationship to the steam in' a manner to bring about a high heat transfer, and in a manner to insure that large volumes of water may be rapidly and efiiciently heated and cleaned, and restored to storage or other apparatus with which it is to be used.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a shellinto the upper .end of whichfeed water is delivered, and at a point in which steam is introduced to produce a desired heat transfer with relation to the water, the structure also including means whereby oils and other extraneous materials may be separated from the steam water and whereby feed water may be maintained in the device at a desired level by automatic regulation of parts of the apparatus.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in central vertical section through the heater and the scrubber with which the present invention is concerned.

Fig. 2 is a view in central vertical section through the heater and the scrubber as seen on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section through the heater as seen on the line 3 -3 of Fig. 1 and particularly discloses the water heater and the trays.

Fig. 4 is a view in transverse section through the structure as seen on the line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section through the heater as seen on the line 55 of Fig. 1 and shows the oil separating unit.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section showing one of the water trays as seen on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3. 5

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Ill indicates a shell having a vertical. cylindrical portion closed by heads II and 12 at its opposite ends. Suitably supporting legs l3 carry the shell and hold it in an upright position. Housed within the shell are three units, a water tray unit I4, 2. heat exchange unit l5, and an oil separation unit- IS. The water tray unit is uppermost of the three units and includes a frame structure I! carrying angle plates l8 which extend longitudinally along opposite edges of the frame and which plates receive water trays IS. The trays l9, as more particularly shown in' Fig. 3 of the drawings, have marginal edges 20 on three of their sides and a bottom plate 2| bounded thereby which is formed with perforations 22. These perforations are uniformly distributed over 'the surface of the plate. By reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings it will be seen that the trays are alternately inclined so that water which drains from one tray may flow on to the next succeeding tray after having passed by gravity from the trays above. The lowermost edges of each of the trays are cut away as indicated at 24 to allow for free circulation of steam. Vertical partition flanges 25 separate the trays into two units, it beingunderstood that a pair of trays rest upon sets of the angle bars 18 as shown in Fig. 3. Disposed above the uppermost tray l9 and adjacent the upper edge thereof is a cold water header 26. This structure includes a T 2'l from the opposite sides 1 of which pipe sections 28 extend in longitudinal alignment. The outer ends of the pipe sections are closed by plugs or caps 29 while the lowermost portions of the walls-of each of the pipe sections are slotted as indicated at 30 to permit the cold water to pass downwardly to the uppermost tray H3. The T 21 is. connected by a pipe 3| to a float valve 32. This valve may be of any desired type and is here shown as fitted with a valve stem 33 which is actuated by a valve .lever 34. The valve lever 34 is fastened to a float rod 35 which extends downwardly to engage a float lever 36. This lever as shown'in Fig. 5 of the drawings is mounted upon a shaft 3'! extending through the wall of the shell I0. A float arm 33 is fastened at right angles to the said shaft and carries a float ball 39 by which the level of accummulated liquid within the shell may be adjusted and maintained. Disposed beneath the set of water trays I9 is a tank 48 having a floor 4| and being bounded by vertical walls 42. Openings 43 are formed through the floor of the tank. These openings communicate with spaces 44 occurring in the baffle bars 45. The bars are shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings as .being formed of a semi-circular pipe section 48 within which an angular section 41 is fastened and by which the longitudinal passageways 44 are formed. The lower ends of the bars 45 are secured to a bottom plate 48 which plate has openings therethrough in communication with the passageways 44 to permit the downward flow of water from the tank 48 throughthe baffle bars and on to the apron 49. The baflle bars each extend vertically and are spaced from each other in parallel rows. Interposed between these rows are baiiie plates 58 having vertically extending slotted openings 5| therethrough. These openings are in alignment with the longitudinal axes of the baffle bars so that a fluid under presssure entering the openings will be projected into the trough of the angles 41 and then will be forced to pass around the baflie bars to reach the next succeeding opening 5| in the next succeeding baille plate 58. The drainage from the trays H! which is caught in the tank 48 may be supplemented by hot water delivered through a pipe 52 and elbow 53 to the tank. The compartment occurring between the floor 4| of the tank 48 and the floor 48 is in direct communica tion with and disposed centrally of an exhaust steam inlet 54 through which steam is projected horizontally into the tank and against the foremost of the baffle plates 58. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings the floor 48 is formed with a plurality of openings 55. one occurring-directly in front of each of the baffle bars and through which condensate may pass. The uncondensed steam passes through the baflle plates 58 and around the baflle bars to afterwards pass out into the space within the shell. As previously explained, the apron 49 is disposed beneath the floor 48 and is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings as being inclined horizontally. A flange 56 extends upwardly at the rear of the floor 48 and would tend to catch condensate blown across the wall by the horizontally moving steam. This condensate and the condensate draining from the passageways 44 and the opening 51 in the floor 48 will flow downwardly and off of the lower end of the apron 49 into a throat 58'. This insures that the fluids in the lower section of the shell will be substantially in a state of quiescence. The portion of the tank below the apron 49 receives an accumulation of the mixed liquids within the shell and it is necessary to separate these liquids so that the feed water will be cleaned and so that oil and suspended solids may be extracted from the liquid. The oil separating structure as generally indicated at l8 includes a plurality of bafile plates 59 'and 58. The baflle plates 59 are disposed with their upper edges terminating along an upper plane while the baflie plates 88 are disposed be tween the plates 59 and with their upper edges terminating on a lower plane from the edges of plates 59. The plates are all of substantially equal height so that this would cause the lowered edges of the plates to be staggered. Interposed between each pair of plates is an oil skimmer which comprises an inverted conical cup 8| connected by an elbow to a drawoff pipe 62 which extends horizontally through the side wall of the shell, each of the pipes being controlled by avalve 53. By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the baflle plates 59 and 68 extend entirely across the shell and meet the sides thereof.

The apron 49 is formed with a downwardly extending portion 65 which cooperates with the shell I8 in forming the throat 58. The lower edge of the downwardly extending lip terminates below the normal level of the accumulated liquid in the bottom of the shell. This level of liquid is controlled by the hot water drawoff pipe 66 which communicates through the wall of the shell with the storage compartment at the bottom thereof and in the water level. The volume of water passing through the heater is controlled by the float 39 which is buoyantly supported by the accumulated liquid. Two sight gauges are provided, one indicated at 61 in Fig. 2 of the draw ings, and by which the water level may be ascertained, and another indicated at B8 in Fig. 1 of the drawings by which the oil level may be ascertained. An overflow pipe 69 extends through the wall of the shell at a point slightly above the desired normal level of the accumulated liquid within the shell. This pipe is fitted with an elbow 18 within the shell carrying a downward extension 12 which is submerged under normal condition within the accumulated liquid and terminates at a level slightly above that of the hot water outlet pipe 66. The shell is fitted with a relatively large manhole cover 13 permitting access to the trays IS. A cleanout opening 14 is provided in the area of the shell wall occurring between the horizontal floor members 4| and 48 so that rust and dirt may be removed. A drain opening 15 is provided in the bottom head I of the shell to allow the tank. 4

' steam is drawn from the shell through an exhaust outlet 18.

In operation of the present invention the device is assembled as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. Cold water is introduced into the shell |8 through the header 28 and passes downwardly through openings 38 in the header pipes to be distributed uniformly across the surface of the trays l9. This cold water will then pass downwardly through and over the trays and will act to take up the latent heat of the steam which is introduced into the shell in a manner to be hereinafter described. This water then passes downwardly through and over the lowermost tray l9 and into the tank 48 of the heat exchange unit l5. If desired hot water may also be introduced into this unit through a pipe 52. The water within the tank 48 will flow downwardly through passageways 44 in the baffle bars 45 and will be heated due to the fact that these bars stand in the path of travel of the incoming steam. Thus there will be a direct and effective heatexchange relationship between the steam introduced through the inlet 54 to the heat exchange unit and the water which is flowing vertically in a cross flow with flow upwardly through and around the trays l9,

attention being directed to the fact that the trays here shown do not occupy the entire transverse area of the shell. The exhaust steam will then flow outwardly .through the exhaust. connection 16 at the top of the shell. The heated water from 1 pied by the skimmer cups 6|.

2,164,974 the baflle bars and the condensate which has accumulated upon the floor 48 of the heat exchange unit will flow along the apron to the throat 58 occurring between the downwardly extending lip 65 of the apron and the side wall of the shell. The liquid will then accumulate within the lower end of the shell to a level as controlled by the overflow pipe or the float 39. This liquid is a mixed liquid which includes water and oil. The oil will of course float on top of the water and will form a stratum in the area of the shell occuthe liquid rises above the lip of the cups the liquid will flow over into the cups GI and will be drawn outwardly through. the pipes 62 as controlled by the valves 63. The level of the oil may be readily ascertained through the sight gauge 68 so that the valves may be opened or regulated to maintain a desired skinning action. The hot water may be drawn oil? through the pipe 66. It is desirable that the level of the liquid be automatically maintained in direct proportion to the oil and water being drawn off and for that reason the float valve 39 is provided to actuate afloat valve element 32 which controls the flow of cold water to the header 26.

'It will thus be seen that theheater and the scrubber here shown is of simple construction, does not require the use of separating units other than those permanently installed within the device, will readily andefliciently heat' a liquid to ahigh degree of temperature, and will insure that a mixed liquid may be separatedinto desirable component parts of different gravities.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes might be made in the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus. described my invention, whatI claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In adevice of the character described, a

, liquid separator comprising a plurality of skimming cups arranged over a horizontal area of a structure and with their upper edges in a common horizontal plane, and draw-01f pipes, ,one for each cup, and intermediate vertical baille plates disposed between the cups.

2. In a device of the character described, a liquid separator comprising a plurality of skimming cups arranged over a horizontal area of a structure and with their upper edges in a common horizontal plane, draw-off pipes, one for each cup, and intermediate vertical baflle plates disposed between the cups and in staggered relation to each other.

3. In a device of the character described a heat exchange structure including an outer shellthrough which steam is delivered in horizontal.

flow, an upper and lower plate at opposite sides of the path of said steam flow, a' tray carried by the upper plate and into which liquid may accumulate, a plurality of water tubes extending vertically between the plates and being in communication with the upper tray whereby water may pass downwardly therethrough in heat exchange relationship to the transversely moving steam, a plurality of perforate ba'flle plates interposed between the rows of water tubes, said water tubes being formed with V-shaped grooves in one side thereof, said v-shaped grooves of the water tubes facing the path of inflowing steam through said baflle plates whereby said steam will be projected into said grooves and around the When the level of.

tubes completely contacting the surface thereof and flowing therealong and thence passing through the perforate baille plates and into the V-shapedgrooves of the succeeding row of tubes. 4. In a device of the character described a heat exchange structure including an outer shell to which steam is delivered in horizontal flow, an

upper and lower plate at opposite sides of the path of said steam flow, a tray carried by the upper plate and into which liquid may accumulate, a plurality of water tubes extending vertically between the plates and being in coinmunication with the upper tray whereby water may pass. therethrough in heat exchange relationship to the transversely moving steam, said tubes being deformed to form a V-shaped groove presented to the inflowing steam and enclosed vertical passageway therethrough, and perforate baiiie plates disposed between the rows of water tubes in the path of travel of said steam to direct the same into the V-shaped grooves of each succeeding row of water tubes.

5. In a device of the character described a heat exchange structure including an outer shell to which steam is delivered in horizontal flow, an upper and lower plate at opposite sides of the path of said steam flow, a tray carried by the upper plate and into which liquid may accumulate, a plurality of water tubes extending vertically between the plates and being in communication with the upper tray whereby water may pass downwardly therethrough in heat exchange relationship to the transversely moving steam, a

. plurality of perforate bailie plates interposed beopposite sides of the path of said steam flow,- a tray carried by the upper plate and into which liquid may accumulate, a plurality of water tubes extending vertically between the plates and being in communication with the upper tray whereby the inflowing liquid to be heated may pass downwardly therethrough in heat exchange relation to the transversely moving steam, a plurality of perforate bailie plates interposed between the rows of water tubes, said water tubes being formed with V-shaped grooves in one side, thereof, said V- shaped grooves of the water tubes facing the path of inflowing steam through said baflie plates whereby said steam will be projected into said grooves and around the tubes completely contacting the surface thereof and flowing therealong and thence passing through the perforate baffle plates and'into the V-shaped grooves of the succeeding row of tubes, means in the lower endxof said shell being providedwith a draw off passageway for the heated liquid, and a valve means for the inflowing liquid associated with a float actuated by the accumulated liquid in the lower portion of the shell whereby the quantity of inflowing liquid will be regulated to maintain the accumulated liquid at a substantiallyuniform level.

7. In a device of the character described a heat' flow, means for introducing a liquid to be heated in the shell at its upper end, a heat exchange unit comprising an upper and lower plate at opposite sides of the path of said steam flow, a tray carried by the upper plate and into which liquid may accumulate, a plurality of water tubes extendsaid steam will be projected into said grooves, means disposed in the path of travel of the steam to direct the same into the V-shaped grooves, means in the lower end of said shell being provided with a draw oi'ipassageway for the heated liquid, and a valve means for the infiowing liquid associated with afloat actuated by the accumulated liquid in the lower portion of the shell whereby the quantity of inflowing liquid will be regulated to maintain the accumulated liquid at a sub- 10 stantially uniform level.

. E. c. auDoLF WEISGERBER. 

